APEC and human security

APEC and human security

Some thinkers tend to criticize APEC for having too broad an agenda, but the Asia-Pacific rim ministers' commitment to tackle concerns about "human security" issues is not only relevant but essential for the prosperity of the diverse economies in the region.

The ministers held out the concept of human security as the basic requirement for social stability and advancement and specifically called for positive cooperation among nations in actions for counterterrorism, health security and emergency preparedness for disasters, as well as energy security.

Critics may point to these subjects as evidence of bloated concerns at the APEC forum. Yet, the Asia-Pacific rim, which encompasses extremely diverse economies and societies with different cultures and traditions, has stepped onto a stage that calls for great emphasis on spontaneous international cooperation, particularly between more advanced nations and developing ones, to address the many emerging problems in the 21st century. -- The Korea Herald, Seoul